English rugby’s decision to implement a concussion education programme is a victory for player welfare, but also a move surely designed to avoid the legal firestorm occurring across the Atlantic.

This week, a judge in Philadelphia ruled that a $765million settlement between the NFL and more than 4,800 former American Footballers who have filed concussion-related lawsuits was insufficient. Whatever final sum is reached as a means of compensating those who have suffered such injuries in the past, rugby will register the outcome with concern.

A sustained campaign in recent months has driven the subject to the top of the sport’s agenda, and finally there are signs of significant progress. The matter was brought to the fore by one particularly sickening clash of heads during the final Lions Test last summer, when Wales hooker Richard Hibbard collided with George Smith early in the game.

Controversy: Australia's George Smith was allowed to continue in a match against the British and Irish Lions despite suffering a head injury

The Australia flanker departed for the mandatory five-minute concussion assessments, brought in by the IRB, but he was allowed to return to action when it was abundantly clear that he was not fit to do so. Since then, the issue has snow-balled, with fears raised about brain damage and problems in later life, such as heightened risk of dementia.

As more and more troubling case studies have come to light, the authorities have been forced to act, and the Professional Game Board – with representatives from the RFU, Premiership Rugby and the Rugby Players’ Association – have approved a concussion training course. It will be compulsory for players and coaches in the Premiership, Championship and regional academies, and an eventual expansion to the lower leagues and grass-roots must be the eventual aim.

What the incident involving Smith
confirmed is that players must be saved from themselves. Rugby is
renowned for selfless bravery, but that can be taken too far. Given half
a chance, players will insist to medics that they are fit to play on,
and only greater understanding of the immediate and later-life risks can
address that tendency.

Legal cases: Former Chicago Bears quarterback Jim McMahon is one of more than 4,500 former NFL players that have filed suits

In interviews, players will talk of taking a bang to the head and continuing despite not being aware of where they are or what is happening. This is misplaced gallantry. Common-sense and caution is required. The game is an increasingly brutal business, so it is only right that the combatants are armed with a full picture of the dangers, as well as the physical might to protect themselves.

France have perennial problems with Test selection, so here is a simple hint for coach Philippe Saint-Andre – your back row all played for Toulouse last Sunday.

The combination of Yannick Nyanga, captain Thierry Dusautoir and monster No 8 Louis Picamoles were simply too dynamic and powerful for Saracens to handle. It was one of the most compelling performances by a trio of loose forwards in recent memory.

Man in form: Toulouse flanker Yannick Nyanga (right) deserves to be included in France's back row after some fine performances for his club

French national coaches have a distinguished history of going for the outlandish over the obvious, but that surely cannot happen this time.

Before England begin their Six Nations campaign in Paris on February 1, they will surely review footage of that blood-and-thunder European encounter at Stade Ernest Wallon and wonder if what awaits them is an unstoppable force.

It all adds up to Heineken heaven

Calculators at the ready for the final round of Heineken Cup pool matches this weekend, with a fascinating tussle for prized quarter-finals and top ranking places on the cards.

This column’s often blurred crystal-ball vision goes like this… Leicester claim a narrow win over Ulster at Welford Road to finish top of Pool Five, with both sides qualifying. Toulon to win without a bonus in Glasgow to go through from Pool Two, Toulouse will thrash Zebre away in Pool Three to finish above Saracens, who should qualify as runners-up with a bonus-point win over Connacht.

Plenty to play for: Leicester Tigers and Ulster meet again at Welford Road this weekend in the Heineken Cup

Clermont Auvergne can dispatch Racing Metro and earn a bonus, as can Munster against Edinburgh in Limerick, while Leinster should beat Ospreys – but scoring four tries or not is likely to be academic.

That would leave four teams; Leicester, Toulon, Toulouse and Clermont on 24 points, so it would come down to tries scored (then points difference) and their current tallies are 15 (50), 15 (59), 15 (70) and 13 (45) respectively.

Poor Fiji are in danger of becoming even poorer, after the IRB confirmed the withdrawal of direct funding to the Pacific island nation. The governing body won’t provide financial support until the Fiji Rugby Union implement recommended measures to combat ‘significant concerns regarding administration and governance’.

Struggles: Fiji, pictured here in action against the Barbarians at Twickenham, have had their direct funding from the IRB withdrawn

The FRU have a new hierarchy in place and they have vowed to meet the IRB’s various demands by May, in the hope of addressing a funding crisis, but acting chief executive Berlin Kafoa is not impressed by what he sees as excessive outside control.

‘I think one of the things that we are concerned about is the IRB dictating to us what we should do in our own country, for our own rugby,’ he said.

The last word

Lions flanker Sean O’Brien has agreed a new contract with the Irish Rugby Football Union, keeping him at Leinster despite interest from a host of European clubs, led by Toulon. It has been acclaimed as a coup for Ireland; a significant development in the struggle to prevent a Welsh-style exodus, but this is no time for wild rejoicing in Dublin.

The battle has been won, but not the war, especially as Jamie Heaslip remains in talks with Toulon, although Jonathan Sexton is thought to be unsettled at Racing Metro and may accept an earlier-than-planned return home.

On the move? Leinster captain Jamie Heaslip is in talks with Toulon and could make a switch to the French side

French clubs’ spending clout will be further enhanced by the TV rights jackpot they have just secured, in the form of a five-year deal with Canal+ worth in excess of 70million euros per season.

The numbers add up to a renewed transfer blitz by the leading Top 14 teams. In the circumstances – with offers destined to keep rising – it will be intriguing to see if the RFU’s edict against players based overseas being eligible for Test selection prevents any high-profile English defections.